Pregnancy Muscle Cramps?

Question

I have really bad muscle cramps (i am 32 weeks pregnant). Did anyone have the same issue? and what did you do to deal with it? I walk told to eat potassium (like banana's) but i don't even know how much potassium i should intake? are there any other things that help with the muscle cramps, when i am really tired, it actually gets to the point where i cannot walk cause it hurts so much

Answer 1

i get cramp in my lower leg alot! mostly when im in bed going to sleep and im nearly 35 weeks pregnant. its been happening since i was about 27weeks and oh god does it hurt and its sooo annoying!

Electrolyte disturbance may cause cramping and tetany of muscles, particularly hypokalemia (a low level of potassium) and hypocalcemia (a low level of calcium). - so yeah eating foods high in potassium, such as bananas, potatoes, and prunes, can help prevent muscle cramps.

altohugh ive heard too much potassium can casue hypertension - high blood pressure which isnt good in pregnancy..so jsut try and have a banana a day and a few jacket potatoes or something a week i guess =)

Answer 2

Yes, I've been there, and am currently too. :0)

Potassium is a good answer, so is Calcium/Magnesium.

It is easiest to take a supplement that contains all three so you get the correct balance.  

I've taken this route myself, partly because I hate bananas! LOL!  I also drink Pregnancy Tea, and eat lots of the foods that contain good vitamins and minerals.

Usually I say go for foods first, and supplement if you aren't getting enough after that.  But in this case you want to keep a balance and that's harder to measure with foods.

Try to get around the first number, and not to exceed the second number for each daily.

Calcium               1500 - 2000 mg

(*use citrate, ascorbate, or malate)

Magnesium              750-1000 mg

Potassium                   99-500 mg

(*use citrate)

Good food sources of all 3 are:

Dairy products, fish, spinach or leafy green vegetables, black strap molasses (also great for iron!), herbs like, nettle and red raspberry leaf, both can be made into tea.

Hope you feel better soon!

Not long left! ;-D

Answer 3

yes im right there with you.. they wake me up in the middle of the night. I dont think theres much you can do at this point... its just one of those things we have to accept through pregnancy. Just make sure you eating bananas and taking you prenatal every day. I find myelf getting them more often when i forget my vitamin. Also drink lots of water.. unfortunately I dont think it will stop until baby comes.. im in pain too! good luck!

Answer 4

When i was pregnant and towards the end i had really bad muscle cramps in my back. they were so bad i couldn't sleep and i would cry. so i would use heating pads every time. b/c it was to a point no matter how i laid down it hurt very bad. and that helped very very much.